Started in kindergarten...my child spoke a little english....now she speaks reads and writes…read moreenglish at her grade level and recently graduated from the ESL program. She is behind in math ...hopefully she will catch up next year in 3rd grade. As long as my child continues to progress academically i will keep her there ....drive line does leave something to be desired as well as with school communication but academically the school is getting the job done.

I'm writing to bring to your attention an incident that happened today, August 14th, around 3:20…read morePM, regarding my daughter Callie's school laptop. This morning, Callie accidentally left her laptop at home, so I brought it to the school around 9:00 AM. When I dropped it off at the front desk, the receptionist Mellisa mentioned that she "might be able to get it to her." I assumed she was joking, so I left it with her. Later in the day, I found out that Callie never received her laptop. When I returned to the front desk, I expressed that if it wasn't going to be delivered to her, I would have preferred to take it back with me. The receptionist mentioned that she thought it was for homework, but in fact, Callie needed it for classwork during her last period today. I also want to note that this is only the second time Callie has forgotten her laptop, yet the receptionist claimed it had happened three or four times, which is simply not true. I was disappointed to hear an inaccurate statement about my daughter's track record, especially when it could impact how she is perceived. I wanted to make you aware of this situation because it caused Callie to miss an important class activity. I understand everyone is busy, but I hope we can ensure that items critical to a student's classwork are delivered in a timely manner in the future and that communication remains accurate and respectful. Thank you for your time and understanding. Sincerely Jaylene . P

I love this school it is perfect for children teachers are kind and respectful students are well…read morebehaved definitely recommend for kids

The principal took a students phone and started looking through it with no explanation, the…read moreprincipal did not even ask for permission and just started looking through it, the student did nothing wrong too, and took a 20 dollar bill from the student. I saw it with my own two eyes, and this is just unacceptable.

I chose this school because everyone in my community used to rave about it…read more Let's start from the beginning: my son started in kindergarten and things seemed okay-ish. But once he hit first grade, red flags started waving like it was a parade. I noticed his entire class was filled with kids of color -- which in itself is fine -- but then on a field trip, I saw another class (shoutout to Mrs. Vanderholt's class) that was almost exclusively white. It was awkwardly obvious. I asked his teacher why the classes looked segregated. She hit me with a shrug. Now, about that field trip. While I was waiting for my son to come out of the restroom, I overheard a teacher (shout out again to the same teacher) ask, "Is he blaaaack?!" when a staff member reported a kid playing in the bathroom. The staff member looked like they were still in high school and clearly had no clue how to respond. The teacher then stormed into the restroom and screamed the child's name like she was summoning a demon. That poor boy -- I have no idea what he goes through daily, but if that was her "public field trip" voice, I shudder to think about her "classroom voice." Then came the conferences. I use the word conferences loosely because they were about as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. The teacher-to-student ratio? A joke. And apparently, speaking above a whisper is now a felony. My son came home saying they played a game called "Cemetery" -- where kids pretend to be dead... by staying silent. Yep. That's the actual game. Can't make this up. And no, I didn't teach him that, nor does anyone in our home play "funeral-themed" games for fun. Oh, and to add insult to injury: I once recommended this school to a friend whose child was literally reading at 2 years old. She drove 40 minutes just to enroll him here. What did the school do with her little prodigy? The conferences considered him "average"-- He's now 9, reading at an eighth-grade level, and crushing math. So unless their problem was "he's too smart for us," I don't get it. Maybe his skin and hair didn't fit the school's unspoken criteria. Bottom line: If you're considering this school -- RUN. I wanted to believe in Copperwood. I truly did. But between the weirdly segregated classes, tone-deaf teachers, useless conferences, and "play dead" games, I don't recommend. Although, the librarian there is PHENOMENAL!!!! Talk about a spunky, sweet soul! He helps with pick up and drop off every morning and truly set my day up for success! shot out to MR. R!

I went to this school years ago from K-8th. I wouldn't like my children to go here, only because…read morethe teachers are not helpful. I struggled in math (still do) because my 5th grade teacher, failed to teach us an ounce of math. Set me back for years. This is the same teacher that made an announcement about my older sister who she saw on TV, and directly insulted my sister, calling her rude, intolerable, uneducated, and falsely speaking on behalf of a student body (she still works there today) then she proceeded to e-mail my mother to tell her I was not being truthful. Had an occasion where a principal had threatened me, used an incident that happened outside of school as a weapon because she was the aunt of the girl i had issues with. The Choral program and teacher changed my life, along with the best teacher ever, Ms. Land.

Great experience at this school. Definitely the light at the…read moreend of the tunnel for our family. Our child can be a handful but she really excelled at Desert Heights. Thank you

It's not bad it's just some teacher being strict and sometimes ignoring kids but it's amazing!read more

My son goes to this school and we haven't had a better education experience than here. The…read moreteachers are all very attentive, the staff as a whole is great, and my son enjoys the classes. He's always excited to tell me about his day and the level of parent involvement is wonderful. Scholastic Reading Club letters go home every month and the teachers really do their best to help kids become better learners. I'm not the biggest fan of Arizona's heat, rude people, bad driving or extreme weirdness, but this school is amazing enough that I think I'll stay here for as long as I can manage to. Nothing is more important than a child's education and this is the place to help get that for them.

The curriculum that heritage teaches is AMAZING!…read more Most teachers are new with about 1-2 years teaching experience. Lots of mis-communication between staff (teachers, administrative and bus drivers) My daughter loves this school. It is a charter school. Uniforms are a must and Fridays are Dollar for Duds ($1 to dress casual) the money goes to the school or charities. It needs a lot of work but I know they will improve fast since it is a newer school.

Thank you Heritage Elementary! I cannot say thank you enough! The staff at this school know what…read morethey are doing and it shows! The schools we have dealt with in Arizona have been hard to adjust to because of questionable practices relating to the staff, the curriculum, and grading. We found where we belong at Heritage Elementary. From the curriculum offered to the respect given to students and their families. Students are allowed to be themselves in a welcoming and secure learning environment. The environment at this school allows students to grow and encourages them to strive to be even better. My children regained their confidence thanks to the staff at this school. They felt welcomed from the moment they stepped in the front office: With each staff member we encountered, the welcoming feeling grew even stronger. Ashley, Sharon, Mr. Dye, Mr. Mitchell, and Mrs. Kinsey just to name a few. Thank you for creating such a welcoming learning environment. Forever grateful for giving us the chance to once again experience how a school should operate. Parents, check out the curriculum and all the activities offered at this school. Thank you Heritage Elementary!

I like the school. They have good rules and regulations in place for the students. The classes…read morearen't overcrowded, which allows teachers to give individual attention to all students. My daughter has graduated from middle school, and my son is currently in 6th grade. I also love how they keep parents engaged and involved in the school's activities. I appreciate the school and its atmosphere.

It's a great school for leaning, all my kids had attended and continue with their education.read more

This is one of the best schools with a lot of nice teachers and principles. Every thing is…read moreorganized also how it looks amazing. I feel safe cause of the air force is literally next door. I have been coming to this school for a while and it's fun for their events for everything I would recommend. And also Carmen S. A lie about teachers is noisy , the ELA teacher is really nice to people he is not harassing anyone, also I don't know how middle school er are bullies.

I think it's great that the Dysart Unified School District has their schools open for in person…read moreclasses. They also offer online classes to all K-12 students. Thank you for staying open.

To Vegan M. If you are not brave enough to post your true name and stand up for what you say you…read morebelieve then your post is not worth the space you've used to post it. Your facts are not facts at all, they are your opinions of this teacher. My son was in her class and I saw first hand what a loving and wonderful teacher she is. She does not indoctrinate students to CCV. She loves them and if they ask her about the bible she shares with them AFTER SCHOOL. Which the last time I checked is perfectly legal. Her husband does not preach, he works for CCV. He does not have an agenda that she must fill either. If you're afraid of the true savior then seek answers elsewhere, don't lash out at a wonderful teacher and person that is just doing good things for people. There is no crucifix on her wall, it's a cross on her personal bulletin board. The only students she talks to about baptism are the girls in the bible club that is led by STUDENTS. Get your facts straight and don't post anonymous, cowardly comments about a wonderful person! If you have something to say, stand up Ms. Vegan M and say it with pride and to her face. Shame on you for running to the district office and the administration just to make yourself feel better. Maybe if you were in that kinder class when you were little you would have enough self esteem to help you handle things in life that are not of "your beliefs" and be able to move past your feelings towards others. Oakwood is not a laughingstock in the PUSD area nor is it a laughingstock in the state of Arizona. Maybe in the gossiping, closed minded circles you are in but not in the real world. if you cannot stand up and be recognized and challenged for your comments then keep quiet. Shame on you.

I was searching for Oakwood's website, and ran across this terrible review on YELP. I felt…read morecompelled to write a review after reading one written by the anonymous "Vegan M.". Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and so, here is mine: I am a parent of an Oakwood student and am in AWE of the tremendous job every faculty member does. Every teacher participates in my child's safety and support in him becoming the best that he can be. The principal in particular surprises me in his constant involvement and excitement about his job. I love the enthusiasm! I have found nothing but kind, loving and helpful teachers and staff. PARTICULARLY, the Kindergarten teachers impress me. They are (all 6 of them) kind, patient, amazing educators. They are wonderful! Not only do I send MY children to Oakwood but I'm known to encourage/pursuade others to send their children... and not one have been disappointed. WE LOVE THIS SCHOOL and are proud to be part of this great school. Keep it up Oakwood!

Love this school! After trying many different schools we have found the best school for us. The…read moreteachers and administrators genuinely care for the kids and take the time to listen to parents concerns.